MoD admits loss of 747 laptops and secret data files - Yahoo! News UK
No wonder there is a shortage of IT gear, seems we are a very careless bunch
But then again I just happened to come across this in a book I was reading:
A somewhat unfortunate incident took place when I sent a flying officer with important despatches from G.H.Q. to the officer commanding the British column. It was not without humour. The pilot entrusted with the despatches was told to drop them without landing, so on getting into his machine he explained to the mechanic who was accompanying him to throw them over when he waved his hand and pointed down. They set off; on approaching Babylon the pilot thought he would point out the ruins for the edification of his mechanic. So he circled round and pointed. Away went the despatches!.. the Indian cavalry searched the area for two days, until the secret papers were fortunately recovered.
From: In the Clouds Above Baghdad by Lt Col J E Tennant RFC written in
1920
So maybe not such a new thing after all........